FDA opens inspection site in China

November 20, 2008|By Andrew Jacobs and Mark McDonald The New York Times

BEIJING — The United States opened a branch of the Food and Drug Administration in the Chinese capital on Wednesday, the first of several overseas offices aimed at regulating the safety of imported food and medicine.

The opening follows a string of scandals involving contaminated Chinese-made toothpaste, pet food, drugs and milk. In the coming months, the FDA plans to open inspection stations in Shanghai and Guangzhou; offices are also to be opened in India and Latin America.

"We're opening up a new era, not just new offices," said Mike Leavitt, the secretary of Health and Human Services, in announcing "a permanent FDA presence in China."

The United States imported more than $321 billion worth of goods from China last year, and Leavitt acknowledged Tuesday that it's "clear you cannot inspect everything." He said the goal of the new offices was to ensure safety standards and quality controls in foodstuffs and consumer goods "at the point of manufacture."

All three outlets will work with Chinese counterpart agencies to inspect products bound for the United States. They also will certify third-party inspectors who can approve the quality and safety of exports.

But FDA inspections have been disorganized, inefficient and ineffective, according to a recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. "FDA's oversight and enforcement efforts have not kept pace with the growing number of food firms," the GAO report said. "As a result, FDA has little assurance that companies comply with food-labeling laws and regulations."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is charged with monitoring the safety of imported meat, poultry and eggs, which make up about 20 percent of the American food supply. The FDA is responsible for the other 80 percent - virtually all other foods, vitamins, supplements, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

About 15 percent of the nation's food supply is imported, the GAO said. Sixty percent of fresh fruits and vegetables are imported, and three-quarters of all seafood.